Consumer Affairs & Relations

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – AutoNation Inc. reported net income of $91 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, about 10% higher than $83 million in the same period a year earlier. Revenue totaled $4.4 billion, up 7% from $4.1 billion.

Revenue increases resulted from stronger performance in all business sectors, including new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and service, and finance and insurance.

New York -- Leonard Riggio, chairman of Barnes & Noble Inc., has sold 3.7 million shares of Barnes & Noble common stock. After the sale, his holdings are expected to represent approximately 20% of Barnes & Noble’s common stock outstanding.

Riggio said the sale is part of his long-term financial and estate planning and that he has no plans to sell more stock this calendar year.

Woonsocket, R.I. — Rob Price, senior VP marketing and advertising and chief marketing officer for CVS/pharmacy, has left the company to pursue a new role.   

“Rob led the retail marketing team during a period of tremendous growth and strong financial performance and brought numerous positive changes to the business. We thank Rob for his important contributions and wish him the best of luck in the next phase of his career,” the company stated.

Kroger has promoted Timothy Massa to group VP, human resources and labor relations.

Massa currently serves as VP of corporate human resources, talent development. In this expanded role, he will take responsibility for labor relations when Paul Heldman, EVP, secretary and general counsel, retires in May.

A new low cost money wiring service from Walmart saves customers money and showcases the thought process the company applies to disrupt high margin businesses and generate store traffic.

The new service is called Walmart-2-Walmart and when it launches on April 24 customers will be able to wire up to $900 for only $9.50. between Walmart’s 4,000 U.S. locations. The service is intended to complement Walmart’s existing relationship with MoneyGram which offers a broader range of financial services including international transfers.

Rob Price, SVP marketing and advertising and chief marketing officer for CVS/pharmacy, has left the company to take a new role, the retailer said in a statement sent to sister publication Drug Store News.    

“Rob led the retail marketing team during a period of tremendous growth and strong financial performance and brought numerous positive changes to the business. We thank Rob for his important contributions and wish him the best of luck in the next phase of his career,” the company stated.

Barnes & Noble chairman Leonard Riggio has sold a portion of his holdings of company stock.

Riggio said he sold 3.7 million shares of common stock, after which his holdings are expected to represent approximately 20% of Barnes & Noble’s common stock outstanding.

“After this sale I remain the company’s largest shareholder, a position I feel very good about,” said Riggio. “I love this company and I believe in its future as I do in all of the wonderful people who work here.”

A $1 million donation from Walmart CEO Doug McMillion and his wife Shelley to the University of Arkansas will help kick start the creation of a new School of Global Retail Operations and Innovation.

Sherwin-Williams chairman and CEO Christopher M. Connor said strong performance in the paint stores group helped fuel consolidated net sales in the first quarter, with a slight offset on domestic sales thanks to severe weather.

The company reported a slight drop in net income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, to $115.46 million from $116.18 million. Net sales fared better, rising 9% to $2.37 billion from $2.17 billion.

Sherwin-Williams expects consolidated net sales to rise 8%-14% in the second quarter.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. announced that Timothy Massa will be promoted to group VP human resources and labor relations.

Massa, 47, currently serves as VP of corporate human resources, talent development. In this expanded role, he will take responsibility for labor relations when Paul Heldman, executive VP, secretary and general counsel, retires in May.